“Second Saturday” – October 13 on the Rappahannock County Artisan Trail

American Craft Week is the country’s largest celebration of handmade American craft. This year, Oct. 5 – 14, it will put handmade crafts in a bright national spotlight. In a world of mass production, handmade crafts are unique and exciting.Craft makes our communities vibrant, attracts tourists who spend money, and encompasses our traditions, history and way of life. On Second Saturday, Oct. 13 celebrate crafts with us!

Click each featured site’s link below for more information on activities and to navigate via the online location map. When in the county, pick up an Artisan Trail map/brochure at the Rappahannock County Visitors Center just outside Washington, VA.

Here’s what you’ll find on Saturday, October 13:

This small, family run business specializes in Japanese Maples with smaller collections of ginkgoes and dwarf conifers. Now available are our wooden planter boxes that are made here of our own design from locally harvested wood. We are most often open by appointment but we hold several open house weekends annually. October 12 – 14 is the second of three open weekends for fall of 2018. We will be on hand at the nursery for drop-in visitors from 10:00 till 4:00 Fri., Sat. and Sun. Come see us with your questions, your tree needs, your curiosity. Watch for signs pointing the way from Rts. 211/522.

October brings a lovely Three-Pack Special for wine-lovers. Our 2016 Vidal Blanc, 2015 Merlot, and 2014 Delfino Rosso make a great fall sampling! The Vidal is a nice crisp white with great texture and complexity that can be enjoyed with lots of hearty dishes. The Merlot has a bold fruity taste with a great earthy finish that goes great with fall flavors, while the Delfino Rosso is rich and silky smooth and can complement any mood you (and your palate) are in. $71 tax included (what a steal!) and for Club members only $67. Come by for a tasting or a glass of your favorite! Then stock up with our Three-Pack Special.

Andre Fox Band plays Motown music with a funky twist. The house gets full so come early and wear your dancing shoes! Dine on one of Chef Rachel’s specialties – anything from Bufala Ricotta and Spinach Ravioli to Shrimp and Grits or Fresh Jumbo Lump Crab Cakes. Music 8 -11 pm. Open from 11:30 am.

We are proud to participate in our first American Craft Week and will have artists and craft persons demonstrating and displaying their work October 6,7,8,13,and 14 – Weaving, Basketry, Turquoise Inlay, Copper Dowsing Rods & Copper Banjo Mutes, Carved Wooden Signs, Rug Hooking, Punched Needle Felting, Adirondack Chairs, Pottery, Glass Work Designs and Stone Carving. This is a fantastic opportunity to see thefurniture of Master Craftsman Peter Kramer on display every day. Our antiques vendors have a vast inventory of early American craft work and treasures. On Sat., Oct. 13, Jim Mello, will demonstrate weaving on his loom and Sally Mello will demonstrate rug hooking and punch needle felting and the paintings of Bonnie Dixon will be featured. Open daily 10 am – 5 pm.

Enjoy delicious food and wine while listening to live music by the awesome Maddi Mae performing her acoustic singer-songwriter music saturated with blues, rhythm, and storytelling. Listen for original folk, blues, and acoustic reggae-rock music mixed with some incredible covers from 2 – 5 pm. Uncle Vinny’s BBQ will be serving delicious food from 12-5 pm! The tasting room is open from 11:30-5:30 pm and features tastings of craft wines paired with cheese and chocolate.

See a solo show of the sculptures of Robert E. Bouquet, well known locally for his abstract and representational stone carvings. His natural approach, using hand tools and a direct carving method, creates expressive sculptures with beautiful polished surfaces. This show is perfectly suited to American Craft Week. Gallery open 11 am – 4 pm Fri-Sun. Artist reception is 3 – 5 pm. Sat. www.robertbouquet.com

Come to our First Annual Grape Stomp! Be Lucy for the Day! Take your shoes off and become a part of action. We will have Chambourcin grapes for the first 100 participants to stomp with their feet and take a photo you will never forget. $5 per person 1-3pm

Enjoy the beautiful night time photography of Joyce Harman, printed on metal. Along with showing her art, Joyce will provide information about saving the dark sky views we have in Rappahannock. This exhibit is supported by the Claudia Mitchell Fund. Joyce will be on hand for an artist reception from 2-5 pm.

As we celebrate the end of harvest season, watch for new releases of wines and come to the winery for delicious wines, unbeatable music, and fond memories! From 3–6 p.m., Saturday, the indomitable Ben Mason Experience will be playing live at the piano, an experience you don’t want to miss! Ben has played at countless venues across the United States and we are honored and delighted to have him grace the tasting room. CDs of his most recent album, “Flesh and Bone”, will be available for purchase. On Saturday, and Sunday, too, master glass engraver Patty Sevre will be demonstrating her art, offering already-made pieces for sale, and taking custom orders! Have a glass or bottle personalized while you wait! Open: 12-7 pm Sat. Closing at 6 Sun.

It’s American Craft Week and time to enjoy our agri-artisan wines and craft cocktails. Dine on fabulous food from Hazard Mill Kitchen food truck from 12 – 5 pm and drop your name in the hat to win four free passes to the November Fall Art Tour. Hours: 11:30 am – 6 pm

Express your creative spirit with the magical fun of monotype printing. Artist Jane Forth will instruct you on how to make one-of-a-kind artworks by drawing with blocks of colored beeswax on a heated metal plate and transferring your art onto paper. Appropriate for ages 10-100. Under 10 years requires adult supervision. No prior experience required, just bring your enthusiasm for art. $10 fee includes all materials. Two sessions: 11 am -1:30 pm and 3:30 – 4:30 pm.

Come to the Village Market and dine on pulled pork BBQ while you pick up items like delicious gourmet sausages, jams, pickles, preserves, baked goods and more. Shop locally handcrafted items from 10 to 12 artisans each week. A portion of the proceeds from sales of Inn items is donated to the Rappahannock Food Pantry.